Chrysanthemum plant named Sundoro

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Sundoro particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; red-purple ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 7 cm at maturity; medium plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of August 30 in Salinas, Calif. and September 29 in Hightstown, N.J.; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred to by the cultivar name Sundoro.

Sundoro, identified as 85-125001, was originated by the inventor, Cornelis P. VandenBerg, from a cross made in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif., in 1985.

The female parent and the male parent of Sundoro were both unnamed seedlings, identified respectively as 82-N14003 and 83-631002.

Sundoro was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in January 1986, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Sundoro was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in April 1986 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Sundoro are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Sundoro has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in a controlled open area in Salinas, Calif. and in Hightstown, N.J. Rooted cuttings were established in soil and maintained outdoors under the natural temperature and daylength prevailing during July and September. Single pinching was practiced with all branches and buds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Sundoro, which, in combination, distinguish this chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Decorative capitulum type.

3. Red-purple ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 7 cm at maturity.

5. Medium plant height.

6. Spreading and profilic branching pattern.

7. Average natural season flower date of August 30 in Salinas, Calif., and September 29 in Hightstown, N.J.

8. Uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

9. Durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and leaf characteristics of Sundoro, with the colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Sundoro grown as a pinched spray pot mum. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Sundoro. Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of the leaves of Sundoro at three stages of development (mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in comparison to Sundoro is Debonair, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,324. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Sundoro to the same characteristics of Debonair.

Similar traits are capitulum form and type, controlled flowering response and average natural season flower date. The ray floret color of Sundoro is a vibrant red-purple, while the color of Debonair is described as purple. Sundoro has a more prolific branching pattern, a larger diameter of capitulum, and a taller plant height than Debonair.

In the following description color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Salinas, Calif. on May 20, 1988.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora, cv Sundoro.

Commercial.--Decorative spray pot mum and garden mum.

I. INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Diameter across face.--Up to 7 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Red-purple.

Color (upper surface).--Just opening 60A to 60B, maturing to 58A.

Color (under surface).--Closest to 75C, streaked with 58A.

Shape.--Longitudinal: Straight. Cross-section: Middle of ray floret: Flat. Tip of ray floret: Convex.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Closest to 1B.

Color (immature).--Closest to 144B. Very few disc florets. Disc florets are covered by inner rows of ray florets.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; very scant pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

II. PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Medium.

Branching pattern.--Spreading and prolific.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Small, lobed.

                  CHART A                                                          ______________________________________                                         COMPARISON OF SUNDORO AND DEBONAIR                                             Cultivar        Sundoro      Debonair                                          ______________________________________                                         Ray Floret Color                                                                               Red-purple   Purple                                            Capitulum Form and Type                                                                        Flat Decorative                                                                             Flat                                                                           Decorative                                        Branching Pattern                                                                              Spreading    Spreading                                                         and Prolific                                                   Diameter Across Face                                                                           Up to 7 cm   Up to 55 mm                                       of Capitulum                                                                   Plant Height    Medium       Short                                             Controlled Response                                                                            7 Weeks      7 Weeks                                           Average Natural Season                                                         Flowerdate:                                                                    In Salinas, CA  August 30    August 30                                         In Hightstown, NJ                                                                              September 29 September 29                                      COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN                                               UNDER NATURAL SEASON OUTDOOR CONDITIONS                                        IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA AND IN                                                  HIGHTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY                                                         ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Sundoro, as described and illustrated. 